The medical profession is renowned for its expertise and skill, but doctors and their staff can make mistakes. These errors can cause severe injuries and permanent damage that dramatically impact the life of the victim and their family. Malpractice occurs in hospitals, operating rooms, doctor’s offices, outpatient surgical centers, clinics, pharmacies, diagnostic labs, and even during childbirth.
Many medical malpractice cases involve misdiagnosis or other failures to properly treat an existing condition. Other malpractice cases stem from a physician or nurse making an unwise decision that causes harm, such as prescribing the wrong medication, failing to perform necessary tests before surgery, or using faulty medical devices.
Medical malpractice lawsuits are complicated. They are governed by specific laws and rules that must be followed, and often involve complex medical evidence. Often, plaintiffs must also submit their case to the medical board for review and obtain a statement from another medical professional that supports their claim. An experienced Santa Ana Medical Malpractice Attorneys – Hospital Negligence Experts can help you with this process.
Unlike other personal injury claims, medical malpractice suits require a clear link between a patient’s current medical condition and the defendant’s action or lack of action. In addition, plaintiffs must prove that the defendant’s failure to meet the accepted standard of care for their condition resulted in damage or suffering. This usually involves a detailed explanation of the patient’s symptoms, the history of treatment for that condition, and other related factors. It is also important to establish that the deviation from the standard of care caused a worsening of the patient’s medical condition and increased pain, discomfort, and other damages.
In most medical malpractice cases, victims seek compensation for immediate and future financial losses and the physical and emotional suffering caused by the injury. These damages can be substantial, as are the costs of ongoing medical care and lost earnings. However, California limits non-economic damages to $250,000. An experienced Orange County medical malpractice attorney can help you build a strong argument for maximum compensation.
A successful med mal claim often requires an expert witness to testify about the medical condition and the standard of care in the case at hand. The expert witness can explain the deviation from the standard of care and how it resulted in a harm or injury to the victim. They can also provide the plaintiff with an idea of how much they could expect to receive in a settlement or jury award.
Hiring a Santa Ana Medical Malpractice Attorney may be the best way to get a fair settlement or verdict in a medical malpractice case. An experienced med mal attorney can work on a contingency basis, which means that you do not pay the lawyer unless they win your case. In most cases, the attorney will take a percentage of the net amount you can recover, which is usually around 40%. Contact a qualified medical malpractice attorney today to learn more about your options. A consultation with a local lawyer can also help you better understand filing deadlines and other California-specific legal requirements for a medical malpractice suit.